‘Billy’s thriving’: family’s joy as boy who helped legalise cannabis medicine in UK turns 21
Mother of Billy Caldwell, who has severe epilepsy, celebrates son’s story while pushing for better access to prescription cannabis for families who need it When Billy Caldwell was a baby he was not expected to survive infancy. A severe form of epilepsy condemned his tiny body to daily seizures – brutal, draining and each one potentially fatal. “They couldn’t get the seizures under control,” his…
The Caldwell family is rejoicing as their 21-year-old son, Billy, who has severe epilepsy and autism, has thrived following a medical breakthrough that legalized cannabis medicine in the UK. Billy was not expected to survive infancy in 2005 due to daily, potentially fatal seizures. His mother, Charlotte, recounted how doctors told them he wouldn't see his first birthday.
Last month, Billy celebrated his 21st birthday at home in Northern Ireland with his family and friends. He is now seizure-free and enjoys activities like walking, going to the beach, and playing steps, marking a significant improvement in his condition.
In 2010, Charlotte took Billy to a specialist in Chicago who adjusted his treatment, including a change in diet, which started to control the seizures. In 2016, when the seizures returned, the family sought help from a medical cannabis expert in Los Angeles. After treating Billy with cannabidiol (CBD), his symptoms eased. However, the NHS halted the treatment in May 2018 as UK laws required clinical trials before a prescription could be made.
The Caldwells took Billy to Toronto, Canada, where he received the medicine through a clinical trial. Upon returning to the UK, customs officials seized the medicine, causing a seizure just days later. The government later granted a licence for cannabis oil, and the seizures ceased permanently.
Despite the success, the NHS prescription restrictions are still in place, forcing many patients to seek treatment privately. To address this issue, Charlotte established an advocacy group, TRACD, to advocate for better access to cannabis-based medicine. Despite the challenges, she remains grateful for her son's survival and the life he now leads.
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